Study of face pleasantness using facial analysis in standardized frontal photographs

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research was to check if the numeric facial analysis can determine facial attractiveness. Method: The sample consisted of frontal and lateral standard facial photographs, in natural head position, of 85 Brazilian Caucasian women, without facial plastic surgery report. The sample mean age was 23 years and 9 months. A group of 5 orthodontists, 5 layman and 5 plastic artists classified the photographs according to their own attractiveness graduation in: pleasant, acceptable and not pleasant. The numeric facial analysis was then performed using a computerized method. Linear, proportional and angular measurements were compared among groups. Results: According subjective analysis the sample was consisted of 18. 8% of pleasant, 70. 6% of acceptable and 10. 6% of not pleasant. In most measurements there were no differences among groups. Just in three of them significant statistical difference was observed and in two of them the comparison value was within decision limit. All the differences found were related to the lower third of the face and to facial pattern. Conclusion: On the present research, the numeric facial analysis, by itself, was not capable of detecting facial attractiveness, considering that beauty judgment seems to be very personal. © 2012 Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics.